National military news
Ceremony celebrates creation of new Navy Cyber Warfare Development Group reserve unit
1/7/2019
by Lt. Robert Mook,
U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. 10th Fleet Public Affairs
FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (NNS) -- Navy Reserve leaders formally inaugurated a new Navy Cyber Warfare Development Group (NCWDG) Reserve unit during a ceremony at Club Meade, Jan. 4.
Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Cyber Command (FCC), Rear Adm. James Butler, presided over the ceremony.
“We at U.S. Fleet Cyber Command are determine to increase our competitive advantages over our nation’s adversaries by focusing on our capabilities, processes, and mostly importantly, our people” said Butler. “This new Reserve unit will leverage reservists’ skill sets to support the active duty NCWDG component and its overall mission to test and deliver advanced cyber, cryptologic and electronic warfare capabilities to the Navy.”
Orders for the new NCWDG unit started Jan. 1. Its Sailors and Marines were previously operating as a NCWDG directorate within the FCC /U.S. 10th Fleet (C10F) reserve structure, also under Lee’s direction. Although they will now operate independently, their focus will still be on providing new capabilities to FCC/C10F and U.S. Cyber Command (USCC).
“I’m really pleased that we can harness reserve skill sets to augment key active duty and command capabilities,” said Capt. James Lee, the new unit’s commanding officer. “This would not have been possible without active duty support and recognition of what reservists can bring to the table.”
The unit will provide support in four areas: acquisitions, program and project management, research and development, and technical expertise. But that may not be all, said Capt. Michael B. Tanner, FCC/C10F reserve component director.

NMCB-3 Seabees deploy to support ongoing Tinian recovery efforts
1/10/2019
by MC2 Michael Lopez,
Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 Public Affairs
OKINAWA, Japan (NNS) -- Sixty Seabees assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 3 deployed to Tinian to assume charge of ongoing Tinian Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) relief efforts on the island from NMCB-1 during a relief in place/transfer of authority ceremony, Jan. 9.
Tinian and Saipan are part of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and were devastated by Super Typhoon Yutu, which struck Oct. 24, 2018. Super Typhoon Yutu was the second-strongest storm system to hit U.S. territory in recorded history, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Many of the homes and structures on the islands were destroyed or severely damaged as a result of the natural disaster, and many were left without power and running water. In response, U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) stood up Task Force-West, divided into Task Group Saipan and Task Group Tinian, to conduct DSCA relief efforts in support of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“I feel incredibly excited and honored to be part of this mission,” said Lt. Lawrence Burkart, officer in charge of NMCB-3, Detachment Tinian. “An unfortunate tragedy happened to the people of Tinian, and with us being Seabees deployed to the Indo Pacific Region, humanitarian aid and disaster relief are in our hierarchy of priorities, so it is something we have all trained and volunteered for.”
NMCB-1, along with other INDOPACOM units, conducted route clearance of 64 miles of road, built more than 150 FEMA-provided tents for families whose homes became unlivable, and produced more than 54,000 gallons of potable water during the relief efforts. Following the debris cleanup, the unit focused on roof repairs in which they assessed over 300 households and executed 122 repairs.

National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office announces annual award for MDA Excellence
1/7/2019
by Christopher Hickey,
National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office (NMIO) Public Affairs
Alexandria, VA (NNS) -- Directors of the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center and the Joint Regional Intelligence Center-Los Angeles have become the recipients of the annual National Maritime Domain Awareness Executive Steering Committee (MDA ESC) Award.
Chief of the Maritime Security Department in the National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office (NMIO) John Sanford presented the MDA ESC Award to the directors during the 2018 National Fusion Center Association Annual Training Event in Alexandria, Virginia in December, 2018.
“It is certainly an honor to recognize the work of the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center and the Joint Regional Intelligence Center-Los Angeles’ work to improve maritime information sharing and collaboration on behalf of the MDA ESC,” said Sanford, who presented the award to the directors on behalf of Rear Adm. Bob Sharp, chair of the MDA ESC.
“Their work is a great example of how fusion centers, working with their partner law enforcement agencies, can improve security in our coastal waters, Sanford said.
The MDA ESC recognized the Orange County Intelligence Assessment Center and the Joint Regional Intelligence Center-Los Angeles, for distinguishing themselves in expanding their collaborative efforts in supporting the Department of Homeland Security’s Regional Coordinating Mechanism’s maritime law enforcement operations in the Los Angeles-Long Beach Coast Guard Sector.
These two centers are proven partners to the local Coast Guard and Customs Border Protection intelligence personnel, and have provided intelligence support to numerous state, local and federal law enforcement agencies to counter illicit activities along the Southern California coast.
The centers have successfully proven the value in sharing maritime intelligence and information, and the value in collaborating on intelligence assessments and other products. Their collective efforts have now spread across five counties, leading to numerous successful prosecutions and the effective interdiction of illicit shipments of people and cargo prior to their arrival on our shores.
The Director of National Intelligence, in cooperation with Navy and Coast Guard created NMIO in 2009 to advance governmental collaboration and unity of effort as outlined in the 9/11 Commission Report, the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004, and the National Strategy for Maritime Security. NMIO facilitates information sharing and collaboration across the Global Maritime Community of Interest, which consists of U.S. federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments; maritime industry; academia; and our international partners.

Family PCS travel flexibility
expanded
Fall 2018
From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs
WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Navy has expanded the eligible categories for advanced dependent travel (ADT) and delayed dependent travel (DDT), personnel officials announced in September.
For permanent change of station (PCS) moves within the 50 states, the policy allows for dependent travel of up to six months before or after the sponsoring Sailor’s PCS move in the following situations: spousal employment or education, dependents in elementary or secondary school (K-12), dependent enrolled in the Exceptional Family Member Program, or caring for an immediate family member with a chronic or long-term illness. The previous approved policy that allowed DDT for the length of the school year is unchanged by this expansion.
For moves from the 50 states to overseas locations, only DDT will be authorized. For moves from overseas locations to the 50 states, only ADT will be authorized.
Sailors will only receive one housing allowance, either for their location or their dependent’s location, under delayed or advance travel. Sailors or dependents may be assigned government quarters if available, but may not displace a member or dependent in government housing.
Requests for DDT or ADT must be submitted to Navy Personnel Command (PERS-451).
For information and answers to questions on this policy, email NXAG_N130C@navy.mil.



SoCal military news

IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif., (Jan. 8, 2018) Rear Adm. Brian J. Brakke, commander of Navy Expeditionary Combat Command (NECC) and NECC Pacific, delivers remarks during a change of command in which Capt. Michael E. Ray relieved Capt. Stan Chien as commander of Coastal Riverine Group (CRG) 1 at Naval Outlying Landing Field Imperial Beach, Calif., Jan. 8, 2019. CRG-1 provides a core capability to defend designated high value assets throughout the green and blue-water environment and providing deployable Adaptive Force Packages (AFP) worldwide in an integrated, joint and combined theater of operations. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Boatswain's Mate Nelson Doromal Jr.

USS Mobile Bay completes Bahrain port visit
1/7/2019
by MC3 Nicholas Bauer, Carrier Strike Group 3 Public Affairs
MANAMA, Bahrain (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) completed their scheduled port visit to Manama, Bahrain, Dec. 30.
The visit provided Sailors a chance to decompress and reconnect with loved ones over the holidays.
“The purpose of our visit was primarily to increase the quality of life for our Sailors,” said Capt. Robert Bryans Jr., commanding officer, Mobile Bay. “After several weeks underway working alongside the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), it was a much-needed break for the crew.”
Although Bahrain is a great opportunity to relax, some Sailors felt a game of soccer was just what they needed to unwind. The Mobile Bay soccer team played an exhibition game with Naval Support Activity (NSA) Bahrain’s soccer team.
“It was a great opportunity to get out there, play with the guys and have a good time,” said Fire Controlman (Aegis) 3rd Class Matthew Lindsay, from Fillmore, California. “Being out there and getting to know them and how they play is a neat experience. Everyone has
While Sailors soaked in the Bahraini culture, the port visit marked an important stop for the Mobile Bay.
“It’s always good to go to Bahrain and be good ambassadors for the United States,” said Bryans. “With Bahrain being home to our [U.S.] 5th Fleet commander, we have developed a long-standing relationship with the nation. Our presence in the Arabian Gulf is important to our security and national interests of the United States.”
Mobile Bay is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the Central Region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points.





United Through Reading®
Deploying? Service members invited to record stories for family at San Diego USO
United Through Reading® is a program helping ease the stress of separation for military families by having deploying or deployed service members read children’s books aloud via DVD for their family to watch at home. This powerful program is available to all military units. It provides service members a chance to make lasting connections from afar. The DVD recording and the book are mailed to the child and family back home.
Service members who are leaving for training can also take part in this program. Being a parent is not required; service members can send the DVD & book(s) to any special child in their life such as younger sister or brother, niece, nephew or godchild.
On the day of the recording, service members are encouraged to dress in the attire they will be wearing while deployed/training, but this is not required. The room is private, so any special message, or those fun reading voices, will only be heard by the recipient of the DVD recording. USO San Diego has books available, or service members can bring their own. Our volunteers will help set up the camera and then leave the room. The DVD can hold a 30 minute recording.
Please e-mail USO San Diego Staff Member Nichole Duarte at utr@usosandiego.org to make your appointment. This program is offered at both USO San Diego centers.